Ever Wondered What Really Makes The Best Players the Best?

For those who really desire to be as good of a basketball player possible, you'll have to hustle.

Basketball is not only about thinking, it comes down to doing. You must invest the effort and energy to perfect your foul and jump shots, cultivate your confidence, and play against enough good competitors to ensure that once you get on the court within a game situation, you're prepared to go. You're prepared to bring it to the opposition. You're prepared to dominate.

Then get out there and make that poor unfortunate soul of a defender regret the fact that he's defending you. Make your teammates pleased they sent you the basketball (since you're taking and making intelligent shots once they give you the basketball), and return the basketball back to them if you do not have a decent chance for a shot. Make your coach pleased he sent you onto the court since you play the game the correct way, bring it to the opponent, and make it easier for your team to win games.

Ever sat right near the court at an professional basketball game?

It is really an fascinating experience. You observe among the best athletes on the planet bringing it at one another, play after play. The very first thing that sticks out the most right after observing a professional game from close up is definitely the incredible athleticism of the athletes which occasionally is overlooked when observing matches on television, as well as the astonishing amount of focus it requires to perform at that skill level.

A player will snag the basketball on the wing, execute an explosive drive past his opponent, cross-over on the opponent, immediately come to a dead stop on the lane, get elbowed as he jumps up to take the shot, and pops a soft jump shot right over top of the outstretched arm of a seven foot tall center coming over to go for the block. And, if they're a skilled player, they'll put down the shot despite all of that activity, despite all of that mayhem, despite having to make half a dozen movements. Main point here: they complete the play as a result of being completely focused.

In just a few short seconds a player will make half a dozen moves, performing each of them with speed, intensity, and confidence. Most importantly, however, this level of performance needs total concentration and focus. The best athletes have incredible concentration, and the best athletes complete plays. End of story.

Train versus decent opposition. Focus on completing plays. Work hard at developing your focus and concentration. It will place you above the competition and it is what really separates the great players from the good players.

Mike Warns is the resident vertical jump expert at SkyHighVertical.com. Being able to jump high is an essential part of any basketball player's game. Check out this article to learn how to improve your vertical jump.